Kid’s Care Reading with Babies & Toddlers For infants and toddlers, sharing a book is a wonderful way to build a warm, secure relationship between child and caregiver. Snuggling together while reading a good book is a wonderful way to share one-on-one time. Here are some ways to make sure your reading time fits the needs and abilities of very young children. ► Find a quiet place to snuggle up and read to infants and toddlers. ► Expect babies to touch, feel and taste books while reading; this is how they learn. ► Let babies and toddlers try to turn the pages with your help. ►Clean books often, especially when children place them in their mouths. ► Talk about the pictures in the book. Name objects, colors and actions. ► Encourage children to repeat the words you say when you are reading aloud. ► Read for a few minutes, several times during the day. Have books available and they will want you to read many times. Dollars and Sense Talking to Young Children about Money When talking to young children from ages 4 to 8, consider the following: • Help young children learn the value of money and that it can be exchanged for things by letting them pay the sales perosn for an item at the store. Explain that different amounts of money allow you to purchase different items. • Allow a child to choose between two or three items in making a purchase. Providing an opportunity for choice and making decisions is important, but limit the number of items to choose. • Take a child shopping with you and help him or her pay for one item. Keep a separate coin purse for his or her money and assist him or her in making the purchase. • Talk about the things that family members work to pay for, such as food, clothing, housing or rent, vehicles or household necessities. • Teach the value of generosity. Guide a child to share money with a friend or sibling, contribute to a faith group or charity, or send a small amount to a meaningful cause or organization. Cooperative Extension Service (Your) County Street address City KY zip-speed (000) 000-0000 Fax: (000) 000-0000 extension.ca.uky.edu